On a finger
of land at the confluence of the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn and the
Sea of Marmara stands the Topkapi Palace, that maze of buildings
that was the focal point of the Ottoman Empire between the 15th and
19th centuries. Cosntruction of New Palace (Topkapı Palace) is
started after
1466, and completed on 1478, a couple of years before the death of
Fatih. This palace is not a building like other European Palaces,
and composed of various mansions and chambers. Initially constructed
Çinili Mansion is a Glass Palace and concluded on 1472. Mansion
with Middle East architecture character and two layers become
Archeology Museum on 1875 and Turkish Islam Pieces of Art Museum on
1908. It is also opened as Fatih Pieces of Art Museum on 1953. Çinili
Mansion, Kubbealtı Arzodası (Under Dome Submission Room), Hasoda,
Treasury, Pantries and Expeditionist like barracks, a part of
kitchens, patients room, hamam, now a library, Ağalar Mosque,
stables and other buildings' construction is followed and finally
structure is completed with the construction of main gate at
Sultanahmet direction, known as Bab - ı Humayun and Palace ramparts
on 1478.

Palace residents, which were approximately 750 persons during Fatih
period, become more crowd and during XIXth century, it reached to
5000 during normal days and extraordinary days like festivals
10.000. For this reason, new additions had been made to this palace.

Topkapı Palace Harem division is constructed between 1574 -1595
during IIIrd Sultan Murad period and then Harem residents in Bazayıt
had been moved to this place. Harem residents were 474 persons at
the beginning of XIXth century. There were Black Eunuch in Sultans
Palace Chamber while entering the Harem, and on the upper level of
it, Prince's School for little princes. In the course of time,
Enderun School, Master Doctor's Room, Enderun Pharmacy, mansions
within internal courtyards and summer mansions at Sarayburnu coasts
are constructed in the Palace, kitchens and stables are widened, and
new mosques and libraries had been added.